Nectarine tree named &#39;White Dragon&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct nectarine which is somewhat similar to the ‘Sunny Red’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8534) from which it is a sport but from which it is distinguished by producing a later ripening fruit which are mature for harvesting and shipment approximately 3 to 5 days after the ‘Sunny Red’ nectarine, as well as being white fleshed as compared to the yellow fleshed fruit of ‘Sunny Red.’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0001] The present invention refers to and relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree which will hereinafter be denominatedvarietally as the ‘White Dragon’ nectarine tree which produces aclingstone fruit, which are mature for commercial harvesting andshipment approximately September 7-10 in the San Joaquin Valley ofCentral California as a late, fresh-market nectarine, white fleshed witha good red blush skin coloration.

[0002] In the development of new varieties of fruit trees a premium isplaced upon those which produce fruit either early or late in thegrowing season when few competing varieties are available. When a newvariety of fruit which matures early or late has good size, good color(blush), good flavor, and can be held or stored well, the fruit of thisvariety has a very good chance for commercial success in the freshmarket. This new invention of a white fleshed nectarine meets thiscriteria.

ORIGIN ABND SEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0003] The present variety of nectarine tree was discovered by theinventor in his orchard of ‘Sunny Red’ nectarine trees (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 8534) which is located near Reedley, Calif. in the San JoaquinValley of Central California. The inventor discovered the variety as asport of a ‘Sunny Red’ nectarine tree In 1998. The new variety was firstreproduced by the inventor in 1999 by hybrid grafting 12 trees frommature wood. The asexually reproduced trees first bore fruit of the newvariety in September 2000. The inventor carefully compared the asexuallyreproduced trees with the parent sport including the fiuit thereof andhas confirmed that the parent and the progeny are identical in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0004] The ‘White Dragon’ nectarine tree is characterized by producing aclingstone fruit which has good red blush coloration and is ripe forcommercial harvesting and shipment approximately September 7-10 in theSan Joaquin Valley of Central California. The new variety is mostclosely similar to the ‘Sunny Red’ nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8534) from which it is a sport but from which it is distinguishable inthat it ripens about 3 to 5 days later than the fruit of the ‘Sunny Red’nectarine tree and in that the fruit is somewhat larger in size thanthat of the ‘Sunny Red’ nectarine tree.

BRIEF DESCRPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0005] The accompanying drawing is a color photograph showing severalfruit of the new variety including the first in bottom view showing theapex end, the second in top view showing the stem cavity, the third inside view showing the surface, the fourth in side view to display theblush color, and the fifth to show a section fruit displaying the fleshand the pit cavity. The stone (or pit) is also displayed along withtypical foliage of the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] Referring more specifically to the pomological details of thisnew and distinct variety of nectarine tree the following observationshave been made for the ecological condition prevailing at the orchard oforigin which is located near Reedley, Calif. in the San Joaquin Valleyof Central California. All major color designations are by reference tothe Dictionary of Color by Marez and Paul, First Edition, 1930. Commoncolor names are also occasionally employed.

[0007] Tree: Generally develops and grows similar or equivalent to thatof the parent ‘Sunny Red’ nectarine tree.

[0008]Vigor.—good.

[0009]Figure.—the tree is upright to upright spread.

[0010]Productivity.—productive.

[0011]Regularity of bearing.—regular under the ecological conditions ofthe Central San Joaquin Valley.

[0012] Trunk:

[0013]Size.—small to medium and the circumference taken approximately10″ above ground is 7.079 inches. Tree is 3 years old.

[0014]Surface texture.—moderately rough.

[0015]Color code.—Log Cabin (15-A-5).

[0016]Lenticels.—Number — moderate Size — medium.

[0017] Branches:

[0018]Size.—small to medium; circumference of branches, approximately20″ above ground is 3.927 inches. Scaffolds — 3 to 4 Angle of branches —38°.

[0019]Surface texture.—a. Mature — relatively smooth b. Immature —smooth.

[0020]Color code.—One year or older — Tanagra Castilian Brown Old Cedar(9-J-10) Immature — Vindan Green (17-I-6).

[0021] Leaves:

[0022]Size.—medium to large.

[0023]Length.—122-136 mm. (4.80-5.35 inch).

[0024]Width.—40-44 mm. (1.57-1.73 inch).

[0025]Shape.—Lanceolate — leaf tip acuminate.

[0026]Color code.—a. Upwardly disposed surface, Chrome Green (23-H-12)b. Downwardly disposed surface, Parent Ar. (21-I-6).

[0027]Marginal form.—generally crenate.

[0028]Leaf vein.—a. Color Code — Callistre Green (119-L-6) b. Thickness— 2 mm (0.079 inch).

[0029]Glandular characteristics.—reniform.

[0030]Petiole.—Size — 2-2½ mm. (0.078-0.098 inch) Length — 10-14 mm.(0.39-0.55 inch) Thickness — 2-2½ mm. (0.079-0.098 inch).

[0031]Stem glands.—Stipules — small to medium, oblong to ovate — reddishbrown, M&S Green (7-B-1).

[0032] Flowers:

[0033]Flower buds.—Length — medium — Average 10 mm (0.394 inch) Form —plump, somewhat conic shape Pubescence — pubescent Bud scales — verypubescent.

[0034]Flowers.—showy Size — medium diameter, average 34 mm (1.338 inch).

[0035]Pollen.—present, self fertile.

[0036]Petals.—5 L Length — Average 14 mm (0.551 inch) Width — Average 14mm (0.551 inch) Margins — Slightly wavy.

[0037]Sepals.—5 broadly acute — Peony, Burmese Ruby+ (6-H-4).

[0038]Fragrance.—very slight.

[0039]Blooming period.—March 10 to March 17.

[0040]Color.—light pink (1-B-3).

[0041]Anthers.—average.

[0042]Stamens.—Length 10-12 mm (0.394-0.472 inch).

[0043]Filament.—light pink (1-H-4).

[0044]Pistil.—Average 18 mm (0.709 inch) Color — 1982 near Water Green.

[0045] Fruit:

[0046]Date of maturity — September 7-10.

[0047]Size.—Diameter Axial Plane — 66.68-82.55 mm. (2.85-3.25 inch)Transverse in Suture Plane — 66.68-75.61 mm. (2.625-2.94 inch)Transverse at Right Angles to Suture Plane — 61.9-69.85 mm (2.44-2.75inch).

[0048]Form.—Uniformity — uniform Symmetrical/Asymmetric — symmetricalSuture — small with reddish orange, Cordial (5-A-5) Ventricle Surface —slightly uneven Stem Cavity: Width — 25 mm. (0.98 inch) Depth — 9-10 mm.(0.35 inch) Length — 35 mm. (1.37 inch) Shape — ovate Stem Short:Caliper — 4 mm. (0.16 inch) Apex — slightly rounded Pistil point —retuse

[0049]Skin.—Thickness — thin Texture — firm Tendency to Crack — notevident Color Code: a. Blush color — when textured, Romanesque (46-L-9or 46-L-10) b. Ground color — Brass (11-L-6) Flesh Color: Popcorn(9-J-3) — there is a yellow area running from the epidermis along thesuture line to the pit well, in the suture line itself (not illustratedin drawing because of cut along suture line) — Empire (9-K-3) Near thepit — reddish (42-L-1) Color of Pit Cavity — same color as flesh nearpit Color of Pit Well — near Dahlid (43-L-6) Juice Production — verygood Flavor — very good Aroma — moderate Texture — firm Fibers — seeunder stone.

[0050] Stone:

[0051]Free or cling.—Clingstone.

[0052]Fibers.—Numbers — many Length — 0.6-0.13 mm. (0.23-0.51 inch).

[0053]Size.—Length — 0.35-0.37 mm (1.38-1.46 inch) Width — 0.25-0.32 mm.(0.98-1.26 inch) Thickness — 0.20-0.30 mm. (0.79-1.18 inch).

[0054]Form.—ovate.

[0055]Apex shape.—with slightly pointed tip.

[0056]Color code (Dry).—Wineberg (55-H-4).

[0057]Base.—nearly flat.

[0058]Sides.—Slightly uneven, ventral edge relatively narrow, fourthgroove produces a low reed on basal end.

[0059]Ridges.—grooves — particularly on apical end.

[0060]Tendency to split.—not known.

[0061]Use.—fresh market commercially.

[0062]Keeping quality.—very good.

[0063]Resistance to disease.—unknown.

[0064]Harvesting.—September 7-10.

[0065] Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses thecharacteristics described above under the growing conditions prevailingnear Reedley, Calif. in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California, itis to be understood that variations of the usual magnitude andcharacteristics as a result of change in growing conditions, irrigation,fertilization, pruning, pest control, climatic variation etc. areexpected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of nectarine tree,what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Plant Letters Patent is:1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree substantially asillustrated and described which is somewhat nearly similar to the ‘SunnyRed’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8534) from which it is a sport but from whichit is distinguished by producing a later maturing fruit with goodcoloration, white fleshed with good edible quality, which matures forcommercial harvesting and shipment September 7-10 or about 3-5 daysafter the fruit of ‘Sunny Red.’